“It sure is cold out today,” Chikara quoted, his voice low as if the words that were said aloud were meant for himself. Lowell, who was walking infront of him, heard it but didn't make any comment. Not like he would even bother use that raspy ass voice of his.

They continued walking onward, a sharp gust of cold wind passing through them both. Lowell didn't shiver, breathing in the near freezing air around him. The cold didn't affect him much now that he's used to it, having been working for years even in harsh weathers.

But, he couldn't say the same about his companion though. He stared at the latter in the corner of his eye, watching him very so lightly quiver occasionally from the cold.

“...Are you used to the cold, Lowell?” Chikara suddenly spoke out of the blue after a few beats of silence passed between them.

Lowell's walking slowly and eventually slowed down for the other man to keep up with his pace.

“...I am.” He said, a rare action for him to do.

But with Chikara — the one who grew up alongside him in that orphanage? The one who actually understood him?

He always found himself making an effort to voice a response. Always, despite Chikara constantly saying that he shouldn't need to reply. That was one of the many things he liked about the young man.